The Redbirds narrowly lost to Waterloo-Gibault in the inaugural game 3-2, giving them a record of 5-6-2 going into Wednesday’s 4:30 game against Orchard Farm.

The Explorers, however, had no problem taking out Orchard Farm in the following game; winning 7-0 to give the Explorers a 5-6-2 record going into their game at 6:15 against Waterloo. Marquette and Waterloo are now tied for the top spot in the three-day, round-robin tournament. Friday both Waterloo and Orchard Farm will play at 4:30, followed by Alton vs. Marquette at 6:15.

Waterloo 3, Alton 2

The Redbirds outshot Waterloo 9-8 Monday, rallying with two goals in the second half to tie up the score with 9:48 on the clock.

Alton tied on a goal from Abbie Stutz off an assist from Kirsten Funk, but Waterloo’s Darby Nugent kicked in the winning shot with less than three minutes remaining, scoring her second goal of the game.

“We played three games in 24 hours this weekend at the Fralish Cup Tournament in Carbondale,”Alton coach Laura Ridolfi said. “But that is no excuse; we had a lot of possessions and missed a lot of opportunities to score.”

Erika Lloyd started things off for the Bulldogs with a 1-0 halftime lead on a goal in the first half.

In the second half Darby made it 2-0 for the Bulldogs, with a goal past Alton goalie Brittany Story.

But Alton’s Lauren Forsythe scored off an assist from Lexi Schrimpf to make the score 2-1. The Redbirds went into attack mode, going for the game winner, but the Bulldogs held off until Darby’s goal.

Marquette 7, Orchard Farm 0

Marquette’s Caroline Hoefert scored three goals and Annabelle Copeland had two as the Explorers cruised past Orchard Farm Monday in the second game.

“The team had the weekend off, so we were nervous about how we would play going into today’s game,” Marquette coach Steve Mitchell said. “But we had an all-around effort today, and that’s how we are going to win games.”

Claire Dalton scored the game’s second goal off an assist from Copeland, but it was Hoefert and Copeland doing the rest of the scoring until the game’s final goal was scored by Adrianna Schindler off an assist by Madeline Kane.

Marquette outshot the Eagles 19-0.

“Orchard Farm has some good athletes, but I think we were on a different playing level than they were today,” Mitchell said. “Waterloo is tough; but we’re just going to keep playing our game and get plenty of rest before we get back on the field Wednesday.”